Grimshaw, Aspect to design Twelve Apostles visitor centre

The Victorian government has appointed Grimshaw and Aspect Studios to design the Visitor Experience Centre as part of the $108 million Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment.

The team will partner with the Eastern Marr Aboriginal Corporation and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority on the design process for the centre.

The project will also include a park-and-ride facility, a temporary event space, a visitor shuttle shelter, landscaping, gardens, walking trails, new access roads, and better parking at Secret Apostles Lookout.

The Grimshaw and Aspect Studios team is also designing the Coastal Works part of the precinct redevelopment, which includes upgrades to visitor lookouts at Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps, new bike and walking trails, a new transit pod at Loch Ard Gorge, and an amphitheatre.

"With the ambition to protect and enhance one of Victoria's significant cultural and environmental regions, we're delighted to continue working in partnership with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and in collaboration with our expert team, to design the new Visitor Experience Centre and help realize the vision for the Twelve Apostles Precinct," said Andrew Perez, managing partner of Grimshaw.

Matthew Mackay, studio director at Aspect Studios, added, "Our ongoing co-design approach with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation has been critical in planning the precinct, and [the co-design approach] will be key in realizing a remarkable, enriched experience of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge in the future."

The Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment also includes a number of private sector projects, including an eco-lodge at Princetown and a hot springs and resort facility designed by Neil Architecture.